Gabe Landeskog’s return is closer than ever, captain loaned to Eagles for conditioning

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog's is closer than ever, as he has been officially loaned to the Colorado Eagles for a conditioning assignment just before the playoffs

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Apr 9, 2025, 9:25 AM Updated: 9:45 am

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The captain’s return is closer than it’s ever been for the Colorado Avalanche, as the team announced Wednesday morning that Gabe Landeskog has been loaned to the Colorado Eagles for a conditioning assignment.

Gabriel Landeskog has been loaned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning assignment. pic.twitter.com/FgEu05vIiY

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 9, 2025

Landeskog has been making steady progress as of late, skating in practice both with the Avalanche and the Eagles. Videos of him practicing have shown that he’s skating as a level he hasn’t been able to reach since the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals.

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar mentioned the possibility of Landeskog getting an assignment with the Eagles earlier this week, and the possibility has now turned into a reality.

A conditioning loan, better known as a conditioning assignment, is an opportunity for a player who has been injured for a long time to get their legs back under them in a game-like setting that is slower and less physical than an NHL game, especially a playoff game. Landeskog can play three games with the Eagles before he has to be activated off the LTIR by the Avalanche.

The Eagles have five games left on the schedule, with two at home this weekend followed by three on the road. The final two games of the season are on April 18 and 19, which is a slight overlap with the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which begin on the 19th as well. With the Avs starting the playoffs on the road (they have a 99.9% chance of finishing the season as the No. 3 seed in the Central Division), it could be possible that Landeskog practices for the next week and then plays in the final three games with the Eagles before returning to the team at Ball Arena for Game 3, sometime around April 24.

Landeskog doesn’t have to spend the full 14-day, three-game window with the Eagles, and could return to the Avalanche before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs if he feels ready. As seen with the rehab with this injury so far, it’s best to be patient and not rush back a return to the ice.

The captain’s new docuseries has shown fans the struggles and emotions he’s dealt with over the past three years as he has tried to get back on the ice after the injury. Did Landeskog time up the docuseries with his return to NHL action?